Changing the climate of gender equality

The 2022 International Women’s Day theme is Changing Climates: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow– a theme that recognises the contribution of women and girls around the world, who are working to change the climate of gender equality and build a sustainable future.

We asked some local women to share their thoughts about gender equality and the women that inspire them. We also took the opportunity to get their insights on ways to tackle climate change – to help us live sustainably both which each other and the planet.
 

Deb Leonard - Voices for Monash Independent Candidate and part owner of Leonard & Associates Solicitors.

Do you think it’s important to have equality between the genders?
Through my work as a lawyer, I have witnessed first-hand how gender inequality can lead to family violence, financial vulnerability, and inferior opportunities for women. Supporting gender equality means improving safety and independence for women.

Women need an equal seat at the table – we have different and valuable experiences to bring, that will result in better outcomes for business and community. We have never had a female Federal government representative in our electorate. In 2022, that is ridiculous.

Do you think gender equality is an issue in your workplace?
As an employer, I have always remained acutely aware of providing equal opportunity to men and women. But unfortunately not all workplaces are the same. In my first year as a lawyer, I became aware that I was being paid less than my male colleague, who graduated from the same legal training organisation in the same year as I did.

What steps have you taken in your business to support and promote gender equality?
I have actually employed far more women than men, and I have always been careful to make sure that wages are paid based on the role, not the gender.

Is there anyone you admire who has made a real difference to gender equality – either locally, nationally, or internationally?
Recently, the courage of Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame to come forward and talk openly about their experiences have been inspiring. More open discussion is needed to remove the “taboo” of talking about sexual assault, and allows us as a community to acknowledge the systemic problems and work to change them.

Can you think of any local examples where gender equality is being promoted or taken seriously?
Bass Coast Shire recently introduced 16 weeks paid parental leave for both parents. I hugely support equal paid parental leave for both parents – when talking about gender equality we also need to support men to take on non-traditional roles such as primary caregivers. Equal leave enables each parent time to bond with their child at a really important time in their lives.

If you were PM for a day, what would you do to change the climate of gender equality?
With a bit of luck (and a lot of hard work) I may even be working with the PM soon! If I get into parliament, I would immediately push to implement the recommendations of the “Respect @ Work” Jenkins Report regarding sexual harassment, and support workplaces to implement measures to ensure safe workplaces for women. I would also advocate for equal paid parental leave, and better childcare subsidies to ensure all parents, particularly women, are not disincentivised to return to work.

How will you celebrate International Women’s Day?
Campaigning! I am planning on attending IWD events all over the electorate. 

What kind of things is your business doing to promote sustainability and address the impact of climate change?
Last year, we implemented a policy at Leonard & Associates to be 100 per cent carbon neutral. We calculate our emissions each year via a website and then offset our emissions with the Phillip Island Landcare Bush Care program. Landcare then plant trees in our local area to offset the emissions.
We are almost paperless and waste free, with a comprehensive waste sorting system, and we are installing solar panels soon.
I have committed to running a carbon neutral campaign and at the end of the campaign we will calculate the carbon emissions attributable to the campaign (as best we can) and offset them.

Is there anything an individual can really do to address climate change? Isn’t it up to the big companies that are polluting to change their way, and for the government to do something?
Government should be making policies to address climate change, but until they step up and make some meaningful commitments, we need to do whatever we can as individuals.
Individuals as a group can make a huge difference. Already we are seeing the benefit of a mass migration to renewable energy. Energy companies are responding to the increased demand for clean energy and are switching their operations away from fossil fuels.

Why should we care about climate change?
We are at a tipping point in terms of climate change. What we do now will be written in the history books in years to come. I want it to be a positive story about how we came together as a community to take action to protect our children’s futures.

If there’s was one thing you could do locally to create a sustainable future, what would it be?
I would like to spread the word of how easy it is to make small, easy, changes that can have a big impact if done by enough people – calculate your carbon emissions with carbonpositiveaustralia.org.au/calculate/ and offset them with Landcare. Switch to a 100 per cent renewable energy provider. If you can afford it, buy an electric car, that you can charge for free in places such as the council car park or from solar panels at home (and never have to pay for fuel again!).

General comment:
Girls dream they can do anything – we have a duty to give them that opportunity. I want to be a role model for my kids, for my nieces, for the women of Gippsland, so they can dare to believe that women can have a place at the table in Canberra.